Leaner Liddi ready to play multiple positions

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Alex Liddi worked to lose weight over the offseason, figuring he needed to get leaner to compete in the outfield if the Mariners asked him to play there more this season.

But after coming to camp at 215 pounds, down from last year's 230, the 6-foot-4 Italian has been impressive enough that he's getting considerable repetitions at third base behind returning starter Kyle Seager in early workouts.

Liddi, 24, said his secret this offseason was getting some dietary help from his parents when he returned home to Sanremo, Italy.

"I'm feeling good," Liddi said Sunday. "I just tried to get in better shape to play multiple positions. So I had to figure out how to lose some weight. My dad was a little more strict, cutting out the pasta and fried foods. Now my body is feeling good right now and hopefully we can go from here and see what happens."

Though Liddi has been taking infield drills at third, he also goes to the outfield to shag balls during batting practice and takes ground balls at first. The youngster has intriguing athletic potential, but he spent most of last year in Triple-A Tacoma after hitting .224 with 49 strikeouts in 116 at-bats with Seattle.

"Third is the most comfortable," said Liddi, who mostly played that position coming up through the Minors. "And then first base. I'm still working at the outfield to get better. The hardest part is reading the ball, knowing where to go get it when you go back. That's what I'm working on during BP."

Manager Eric Wedge said he'll have Liddi work mostly at third initially, given that's where he'll likely spend most of his time this year, then have him get acclimated elsewhere. And, yes, he likes what he's seen early on.

"He's in great shape," Wedge said. "Fantastic shape. He really worked hard this winter."

Bonderman, Garland get in extra work

PEORIA, Ariz. -- While most of the Mariners' pitchers didn't throw on Sunday to rest up before live batting practice starts on Monday, veterans Jeremy Bonderman and Jon Garland put in extra work with 10-minute bullpen sessions.

Both right-handers are returning from arm injuries, and the Mariners are taking steps to make sure they're fully prepared moving forward.

Veterans Joe Saunders and Hisashi Iwakuma -- both ticketed for rotation slots -- will also get a third bullpen session on Monday before they start the live-batting-practice rotation.

All the other pitchers who've been in camp the whole time have thrown two bullpens and will begin tossing live BP starting Monday.

Felix Hernandez is the only pitcher who hasn't thrown any bullpen sessions after reporting late following his contract-extension news conference in Seattle on Wednesday. Manager Eric Wedge said Hernandez will continue playing catch for now, then throw his first bullpen early this coming week.

Wedge said the extra work for Bonderman and Garland was "just because of their recent history. They didn't do much last year really. And with Felix and Saunders and Kuma, we're just kind of slow-playing them a little."

Bonderman hasn't pitched since 2010 with the Tigers due to shoulder and elbow problems. Garland missed all of last year following shoulder surgery. But both are accomplished Major League starters and have done well so far.

"They looked really good again today," Wedge said. "They've been impressive early on."

Mariners camp full after Paulino arrives

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Catcher Ronny Paulino arrived at Mariners camp on Sunday after dealing with a visa issue getting out of the Dominican Republic, finally giving the club its full 61-man contingent.

Paulino, a non-roster invitee on a Minor League contract, missed his fifth day of practice as he underwent his physical.

Manager Eric Wedge said Paulino would be on the field Monday. He gives the Mariners six catchers in camp, joining Jesus Montero and Kelly Shoppach, as well as prospects Mike Zunino, John Hicks and Jesus Sucre.

Paulino, 31, has spent parts of eight seasons in the Majors, including last year when he played 20 games for the Orioles and hit .254. He's a career .272 hitter in 573 games with the Pirates, Marlins, Mets and Orioles.

Right-handed reliever Jhonny Nunez, who also was late to camp due to visa issues, took part in his second day of workouts Sunday. He'll throw his second 10-minute bullpen session Monday as he catches up with the rest of the pitchers.